Multiple coupling connector for electrical connection

ABSTRACT

Multiple coupling connector of the male and female type, adapted for the electrical connection between pairs of flexible ribbonlike conductors.

United States Patent Codrino 1 1 June 3, 1975 [54] MULTIPLE COUPLING CONNECTOR FOR 2,894,097 7/1959 Bassin 339/176 P ELECTRICAL CONNECTION 3,082,398 3/1963 Valach 339/17 F X I 3,154,365 10/1964 Crimmins 339/17 F X [76] In nt r: us pp Codrmo, Via Stallone, 3,670,290 6/1973 Angele et al 339/75 MP Quattordio, Italy [22] Filed: May 31, 1973 Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier [2]] Appl' 365764 Assistant ExaminerTerrel1 P. Lewis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael S. Striker [30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 16, 1972 Italy 25783/72 [52] US. Cl. 339/17 L; 339/176 MF 57 S C [51] Int. Cl. "05k 1/02 [58] Field of Search 339/17, 18,176, 75, 191,

339/192, 49 Multiple coupling connector of the male and female type, adapted for the electrical connection between [56] References Cited pairs of flexible ribbon-like conductors.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,198,504 4/1940 Pool 339/191 S X 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures l i 12 1 1 2s 11 26 B a I 21 as I 23 g SHEET III III

A r 1 7- u x MULTIPLE COUPLING CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION This invention relates to a multiple coupling connector of the male and female type, adapted for the eiectrical connection between pairs of flexible ribbon-like conductors.

Also the manufacturing method of said multiple connector is an integral part of the present invention. As well known, ribbon-like conductors, obtained by the metallization ofa thin support, consisting of plastic material, are used at present for building particular electrical circuits, especially in the motor car manufacturing industry.

The electrical connection between the section of said conductors is accomplished by means of special connectors, which differ from the traditional connectors with bushings and plugs, because in the latter the cables to be connected have a circular or almost circular section. In the connectors proposed thus far for the ribbon-like conductors the electrical continuity was ob tained, generally, by the interposition of a metal flexible plate between the ends of the conductors to be connected.

In this manner, there occurs a double tension drop for the subsequent passage of the current from the ribbon-like conductor to the plate and then from the latter to the other ribbon-like conductor. The connector according to the present invention eliminates such inconvenience by bringing the two ends of the ribbon-like conductors into contact, between which it is desired to ensure the continuity of the electrical conduction.

More accurately, the connector of this invention is constituted of a hollow body to the longitudinal walls of which there are fastened more pairs of flexible ribbon-like conductors.

Into the cavity of said hollow body there is inserted a maleshaped member, on the side surfaces of which there are fixed many pairs of ribbon-like conductor terminals.

At the various pairs of terminals, in the aforesaid male member there are provided cross throughopenings, being essentially of cylindrical shape.

In said openings there is accommodated a device, consisting of two hollow cylindrical members, which may slide in a telescopic manner into each other and contrasted by a compression spring.

The ends of the aforesaid two cylindrical members press against the terminals of the ribbon-like conductors fastened to the male members, thereby ensuring a perfect electrical connection between these conductors and those connected to the hollow body.

These and further characteristic features of a functional and constructional nature of the multiple coupling connector according to the present invention could be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I shows in schematic form the cross section of the multiple connector of this invention,

FIG. 2 represents an inner top view of the box design body, constituting the female part of the connector in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 shows in schematic form the longitudinal sec' tion, relating to the box design bodies, male and female, of the instant connector.

Referring now particularly to the numeric symbols in the various figures on the accompanying drawings, the multiple connector according to this invention is comprised of a box design body I, provided with longitudinal walls 2, dove and cross walls 3, connected to two vertical extension pieces 4, being suitably flexible.

The upper portion of said extension pieces 4 is provided with a locking structure 5.

The longitudinal median portion of said box design body 1 is comprised of a member 6, showing approximately the configuration of a parallelepiped, in which there are provided cylindrical openings 7, running transversally of its axis.

Inside said openings provided with edge 8, acting as stop means there are inserted two hollow cylinders 9 and 10 open at an end, penetrated into each other and which may slide into each other.

The cylinder 10 has an outside diameter equal to the inside diameter 7 at the edge 8.

The cylinder 9 shows a larger diameter than that of the cylinder 10 and is provided with a head 11 of smaller diameter so as to project from the edge 8 of the opening 7.

The cylinder 9 itself shows at its open end a contraction 12, adapted to serve as stop means for the inrelief edge 13 of the cylinder 10.

Inside the two cylinders 9 and 10 there is placed a cylindrical spring 14 in compression, which tends to push the heads of the cylinders themselves to project from the edges of the seat 7.

At least one of said cylinders is made out of insulating material.

At the foot of the member 6 at each cylindrical opening 7 there are formed the slots 15, through which passes the end portion of the ribbon-like conductor 16 to be connected.

Said conductor is fastened above the member 6 itself by means of a fastener 17.

The connector of this invention includes further a second box design body 18, entering the first box design body I and at the foot of which there are formed two longitudinal slots 19, adapted to ensure the passage of the terminals of other, ribbon-like conductors 20 to be connected to the former ones.

Said box design body 18 is provided with longitudinal walls 21 provided with an edge 22 shaped to enter the dovetail edge of the box design body 1.

At the ends of the walls 21 there are fastened by means of fastener 23 the end portions of the conductors 20 which should be connected electrically to the conductors, fastened to be body 1.

The cross walls 24 of the box design body 18 are provided further with two lugs 25, showing a rectangular configuration and having different widths.

Into said lugs there are inserted tripwise by the locking structure 5 the vertical extension pieces 4, thereby accomplishing the stable coupling of the two box design bodies 1 and I8.

Of course, the portions 26 of the pairs of ribbon-like conductors l6 and 20, designed to enter into contact, are deprived of their insulating layer.

From the foregoing and perusal of the various figures of the accompanying drawings one may easily see the functional character and practical application, characterizing the multiple coupling connector according to the present invention.

Said multiple coupling connector has been previously described and represented by way of non-limiting embodiment example and to demonstrate the practical accomplishment of this invention.

It is. therefore. understood that any such changes and modifications shall be deemed as appertaining to the protection scope of this patent application.

What we claim is:

1. An apparatus for the multiple electrical connection of ribbon-like conductors. comprising a first element formed with an elongated recess bounded by an inner peripheral wall surface and having an open end and a longitudinally spaced closed end; a pair of transversely spaced first apertures formed in said first element at said closed end and communicating with said recess. so that first ribbon-like conductors may be inserted through said apertures to overlie said inner wall surface at transversely spaced locations; a second ele ment formed with an elongated projection receivable with clearance in said recess through said open end thereof. and with a wall portion which overlies said open end when said projection is received in said recess. said projection having an outer peripheral wall surface and said transverse wall having a pair of transversally spaced second apertures through which second ribbon-like conductors may be inserted to overlie said outer wall surface so as to be each juxtaposed with one of said first ribbon-like conductors when said projection is received in said recess; and biasing means in said projection and operative to deflect said second ribbonlike conductors outwardly away from said outer wall surface and into conductive contact with the respectively juxtaposed first ribbon-like conductors.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said projection is formed with an open-ended transverse passage; and wherein said biasing means comprise a pair of telescoped-together members received in said transverse passage, and a biasing element urging said telescoped-together members apart in direction outwardly of said passage.

3. Ari apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said telescoped-together members are hollow; and wherein said biasing element is comprised of a spring.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said biasing means further comprise abutment means which prevent movement of said members outwardly of said transverse passage beyond a predetermined distance when said second element is removed from said recess.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; and further comprising fasteners which fasten said first ribbon-like conductors and said second ribbon-like conductors to said first and second elements, respectivelyv 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said fasteners are screws.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said fasteners are rivets.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further comprising co-operating locking portions on said first and second elements for preventing undesired movement of said second element out of said recess. 

1. An apparatus for the multiple electrical connection of ribbon-like conductors, comprising a first element formed with an elongated recess bounded by an inner peripheral wall surface and having an open end and a longitudinally spaced closed end; a pair of transversely spaced first apertures formed in said first element at said closed end and communicating with said recess, so that first ribbon-like conductors may be inserted through said apertures to overlie said inner wall surface at transversely spaced locations; a second element formed with an elongated projection receivable with clearance in said recess through said open end thereof, and with a wall portioN which overlies said open end when said projection is received in said recess, said projection having an outer peripheral wall surface and said transverse wall having a pair of transversally spaced second apertures through which second ribbon-like conductors may be inserted to overlie said outer wall surface so as to be each juxtaposed with one of said first ribbon-like conductors when said projection is received in said recess; and biasing means in said projection and operative to deflect said second ribbon-like conductors outwardly away from said outer wall surface and into conductive contact with the respectively juxtaposed first ribbonlike conductors.
 1. An apparatus for the multiple electrical connection of ribbon-like conductors, comprising a first element formed with an elongated recess bounded by an inner peripheral wall surface and having an open end and a longitudinally spaced closed end; a pair of transversely spaced first apertures formed in said first element at said closed end and communicating with said recess, so that first ribbon-like conductors may be inserted through said apertures to overlie said inner wall surface at transversely spaced locations; a second element formed with an elongated projection receivable with clearance in said recess through said open end thereof, and with a wall portioN which overlies said open end when said projection is received in said recess, said projection having an outer peripheral wall surface and said transverse wall having a pair of transversally spaced second apertures through which second ribbon-like conductors may be inserted to overlie said outer wall surface so as to be each juxtaposed with one of said first ribbon-like conductors when said projection is received in said recess; and biasing means in said projection and operative to deflect said second ribbon-like conductors outwardly away from said outer wall surface and into conductive contact with the respectively juxtaposed first ribbon-like conductors.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said projection is formed with an open-ended transverse passage; and wherein said biasing means comprise a pair of telescoped-together members received in said transverse passage, and a biasing element urging said telescoped-together members apart in direction outwardly of said passage.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said telescoped-together members are hollow; and wherein said biasing element is comprised of a spring.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said biasing means further comprise abutment means which prevent movement of said members outwardly of said transverse passage beyond a predetermined distance when said second element is removed from said recess.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1; and further comprising fasteners which fasten said first ribbon-like conductors and said second ribbon-like conductors to said first and second elements, respectively.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said fasteners are screws.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said fasteners are rivets. 